2 Chapter 38: Rest and Revelations

The chill of the night air settled over the Lord's encampment; not even hushed whispers disturb the air. The battle that took place today has tired everyone out, causing those that aren't on night watch to collapse in exhaustion. This included on particularly party that were having doubts just earlier on their way here. Seeing an envoy get attack however made them less hesitant and much more willing to charge into battle without question.

While doing their patrol around the camp they happen to be passing the medical tent meant to be used exclusively by those with a higher rank. The only occupant should've been the envoy from earlier, yet as they passed by the medical tent, they Ayah's ears perked up as she heard voices. She didn't mean to pry; the night was silent making her sensitive to any noise, especially voices.

She planned to just ignore it and move on. She truly did. Yet the words spoken caused her to pause.

"Great job with the explosion Cillian, thanks to you we managed to open conflict and cause casualties."

Noticing that Ayah had stopped moving Kate turned around to approach her teammate. "Ayah what's wro-" She began asking when the Beast-kin shushed her. She then indicated for the others to listen.

Not really understanding but trusting their friend the others silently approached the tent to listen to the muffled conversation on the other side. The four of them quickly realized they were listening in on a conversation between the young lord Vadim and his subordinate Cillian Stewart the envoy.

" -ir, it was no problem." Cillian responded.

"With this we can guaranty that everyone will now fight for us without problem. After all, who doesn't want to avenge their fallen comrades? Better yet we can blame the entire conflict on those things." Vadim said with a hint of jovialness.

"Truly brilliant my Lord." Cillian responded. "I do have one thing to report to you sir."

There was a slight pause before they heard the other man speak again. "I saw your sister; she was with the Monster woman."

Another pause, this time much longer. Without visual the four women were unable to tell what was happening on the other side. It didn't matter to them though. What they just heard made them sick to their stomachs. Solana was especially upset. Despite the fact their party was asked to stay back, and as a result didn't participate during the day's battle, the Elf woman couldn't help but feel guilty.

The comment about the young lady was confusing though. Why would she be with the infamous Monster woman? Perhaps she was kidnapped, she has been missing for a while after all. Just as their opinions on not just the youn- Vadim began to sour, so did their opinion on Lucilla, till he spoke again.

"So, she's the one that rescued her. Gather a small group of people you trust to locate her." He stated. "Once she's found contact me. I have a plan that will get rid of both my father and sister at once."

"Truly brilliant my Lord."

"Yes, yes. Stop with the flattery, it's grating."

With such a surprising declaration, both Ayah and Ginn, the most empathetic members of the group covered their mouths to stifle their gasp of shock. Both the Dwarf and Wolf woman took a step back, and in doing so Ayah stepped on a dry and brittle branch that snapped under her wait. The sound was deafening in the silent darkness. The two people in the tent went deafly quiet, with Kate and her party standing as still as statues, holding their breath as the pressure of imminent danger consumed them.

"... I think we're done here. I'll let you rest." They heard Vadim eventually say.

Hearing that the four quickly scrambled away to continue their patrol. Cold sweat running down their backs as they processed what they just heard. There was no way they could just ignore it. They couldn't even tell anyone; they didn't know who was in on it and if what they knew would get back to Vadim eventually. They continued working through the night, the feeling of being watch never leaving them.

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---Morella's POV---

I found myself under the lake located in the Enchanted Forst. The entire area was rich in Mana, but as a water Nymph the high amount of Mana in the water itself helped reduce fatigue greatly. I could feel the energy inside me swelling the longer I stayed beneath the water's surface. A sense of drowsiness overcame me, but I forced myself to swim back to the surface. I didn't want to stay away from Lucy for too long. That girl worries me.

As I resurfaced, I caught a glimpse of my younger sister and her protégée. A faint smile graced my face, the joyful feeling of pride welling in my chest. Despite her moaning I'm glad she's grown attached to someone outside of me and Yuki. There isn't a guarantee that'll we'll all still be together in the future, so I wish she would acquire more friends she can trust.

As I thought that my mind turned to Yuki, and I sighed. The likely hood of Yuki finding anyone she actually liked was even more slim than Lucilla. Her unhealthy attachment to us would surely cause problems in the long run. Her ability bubbly and friendly personality didn't show how much she hated interacting with others. The closest she's gotten to even enjoying another company is Judieth, and she only feels indifferent when it comes to out dear Doctor.

Me and Lucy will have to fix that. It's just difficult to do that in a Human city considering her race. Someplace like the Beast Kingdome, or the Lost country would be the best places to bring her. The Demon continent to the south could work too, but that involves a great deal of travel from here across half the continent, then on top of that we would spend even more time sailing across the ocean.

Shaking my head free from these thoughts I glided through the lakes surface until I reached the sandy white shore. Lucy waved me over the moment she noticed that I have returned from my swim. Approaching her and Sara, completely dry as the water was absorbed into my body. My younger sister handed silently handed me a piece of candy as she began talking.

"Sara here is surprisingly fine after seeing the fight." Lucy began explaining. "She's still fully capable of empathy, and feels a sense of duty, but any guilt she should have for siding against her people just doesn't exist."

"Does it have anything to do with her monster heritage or the contract?" I inquired.

Lucy frowned. "I'm not sure, the only person with that information is Nielia."

All three of turned in the direction of the Island located in the middle of the lake. Nielia was over there, perhaps speaking with her brother or even our Goddess the Fay Queen. She had her own circumstances that kept her help limited that we couldn't possibly understand. Lucy especially didn't understand and felt like Sara, and subsequently her, were being used. She wasn't wrong but she wasn't right either.

"Whatever, forget her." She said dismissively. "What I wanted to ask was if you think we should let Sara fight next time?"

"Seems risky, no?" I asked, confused on why Lucy would ask something like that.

"They Fay and monsters of this Forest may be listening now, but with their supposed leader hiding away, it's only a matter of time before resentment grows."

"Aren't you leading them though?"

"In practice sure, but technically Sara is in charge. By using me to not only give orders, but not even participate. This could be received negatively."

"I see." I fell silent as I fell into thought. I understand where Lucy is coming from but.... My eyes drifted to the young girl, she was only twelve, and those were her people. She may not be feeling any guilt now, but we don't know if that could change in the future.

"I'll be fine...." Sara said when she noticed me staring. "I'll have Teacher by my side. Until we reach my father that it."

"Is that why you want her to fight? So, we can forcefully bring her to her father?" I asked Lucy

"... Only part of it." She answered hesitantly.

"How do you plan to explain her involvement with killing her own people after you contact her father?"

"I'm not killing anyone...." The young girl next to Lucy responded.

"Right, she isn't going to kill anyone." My sister confirmed. "She'll be in the middle of a battle, so she'll still need to defend herself, but she won't be killing anyone."

"She'll be sticking beside you the entire time?"

"... Uhh...." She hesitated. "Well, no, I was hoping you could stick with her for the most part. I have the feeling now that they got an idea of how we fight they'll be sending in some of their stronger fighters next time."

"So, I was planning to use my two knew blades during that time. I can't risk the Miasma effecting Sara." Concluded Lucy.

I sighed; she was basically asking me to babysit her student for her. "Fine, she'll stick with me when you can't handle having her anymore."

Lucy smiled, though it appeared to be nothing more than a mean looking smirk. "Thank you, Ella, you're the best." She then gave my side before walking off, saying she and Sara had some stuff to check on.

Watching the two of them walk into the forest, I couldn't help but wonder what the future had in store for us. I looked at the piece of candy that was given to me and hoped things would turn out okay.